To optimize a fall burndown application, remember to ‘A-C-T-T’

Sep 07, 2011

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – With rough weather blanketing the nation at the start of this growing season, weed control has been much more of a challenge. Yet growers fighting escaped weeds still have the opportunity to start fresh next year by implementing a fall burndown program.

“Getting an effective fall burndown application done on your acres is critically important,” said Dan Westberg, Ph.D., Technical Market Manager with BASF. “It allows you to be able to get in and plant more timely next spring.”

One option for a fall burndown is a tool like Kixor® herbicide technology, which provides fast and effective results. Kixor is proven to work three to five times faster than glyphosate and 2,4-D and provides growers with an additional site of action to battle fall germinating and resistant annual weeds, such as marestail.

A-C-T-T

As an industry leader, BASF is dedicated to providing solutions, technical support and tools to help growers implement a weed management program based on herbicide best practices. To optimize the burndown performance of Kixor, Dr. Westberg offers the following best practices, also known as A-C-T-T:

1. Adjuvant: Utilize a good quality MSO at 1 percent by volume or a minimum of 1 pint/A.

“We have found that MSO plus AMS is the best adjuvant system to use with all of the Kixor products. This system gets more of the product into the weeds for optimum activity,” Dr. Westberg said.

“Utilizing multiple modes of action are important to resistance management, and glyphosate still offers good post-emergence weed control. Glyphosate tank mixes well with Kixor and broadens the spectrum of weed control, particularly on grasses,” Dr. Westberg said.

4. Timing:Follow label directions for weed size.

“Most broadleaf weeds are listed for control at six inches or less. Optimize the burndown activity of Kixor with timely applications within the labeled weed size,” Dr. Westberg said. “Also, it is always good stewardship to ensure air speed is at a proper level when applying any herbicide to avoid unwanted spray drift.”

Getting ahead with fall burndown

Controlling tough winter annuals allows planting flexibility come spring, as clean fields help growers prepare for whatever weather the upcoming growing season will bring them – good or bad. And by using a product such as Sharpen® herbicide, powered by Kixor, growers are also able to plant the crops in the spring that provide the best return on their investment.

A fall burndown is also important to stewardship, as it can help growers protect their land and their investment by helping to manage the spread of resistant weeds and to retain no-till practices. This includes proactive weed resistance management, such as utilizing herbicides with different sites of action, and planning appropriately to help ensure effective on-target applications.